Chapter 30AN UNDERCURRENT OF upset filled the air. The evening meeting convened in a small salon off the main hall of the first deck. Rather than a traditional meeting room, a circle of armchairs, plush and comfortable, did little to reduce the anxiety.
“I'm sorry we have had such an unfortunate initiation,” said Richemartel. His matter-of-fact dismissal of their loss, punctuated by moving straight to the business of the evening, added to their discomfort. “We have come to discuss how we can further our business interests. We do this in two ways. Sharing information and preventing governments from interfering in our work. You have been selected because you are astute and complementary. Most important, you are pragmatists. As am I. I will augment your overview with detail.” He scanned thei
